Saturday, October 1, 2011

A Library of Health Online

When I was a kid growing up (wow, that makes me sound ‘old’), there was no internet full of endless amounts of information. You had to go to the library if you wanted to thoroughly research a topic; and oftentimes, you needed to go to a several libraries to complete your work. You might even have your preference as to which library offered the best resources, which one was easiest to use, or which one made the process successful and rewarding.

With a grandmother who was a nurse, I had a curiosity about all things medical. It was not really a hypochondria, but an interest in how the body worked or rather didn’t work sometimes. Fortunately for me, we had medical and health resources right at my fingertips at home found in two very large encyclopedic books. Each book was 3-4 inches thick and weighed several pounds. I took the books from the bookcase in our den often and read the material. For FUN.

Now, I read medical journal articles. I search for information regarding different treatment options currently available and those which may become available upon eventual approval by the FDA. I read blogs. I compare notes with other patients like myself, discussing various ways we cope with disease. I compare the information available from the many patient organizations focusing on MS. I share what I have experienced and what I learn along the way. I do all of this from the comfort of my own recliner.

I am a voracious consumer of digital health information online. No libraries needed.

Join Me at iConquerMS.org

Most recent posts appear first. Medical information is current as of the date of publication. Any updates to information will be similarly dated. Nothing here should be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your physician when making personal medical decisions.

Top Five Simple Actions You Can Do For Your MS

1. Eat healthy2. Exercise any part of your body that you can3. Reach out to people, family, friends, strangers4. Discover YOU. What makes you laugh? What are your fears? What is fun?5. Laugh, educate your fears into remission, have fun!

Books, Videos

"To know one can live with MS and RA and STILL do all you do---a true inspiration. You are the glue that holds MSers together in the blog world."- Diane, A Stellarlife

"[Brass and Ivory] is a pillar of the Multiple Sclerosis blogging community and gives some wonderful policy info besides as she investigates a very practical problem, why are medications so @#$%! expensive. She is a great writer and runs the MS blogging carnival."

- Doc, Mind, Body, and Soul

"Lisa claims to be only a professional musician but I've been in this business for 35 years and I have to say she has a lot to contribute on the issue of health care policy."- Robert Laszewski, Health Policy and Marketplace Review

"Kudos to Lisa Emrich for consistently producing high level analyses of living with disability."- Zagreus Ammon, The Physician Executive

"Brass and Ivory is widely regarded as one of the premiere sites not only for information on MS but, perhaps even more so, as providing tremendous insight on living with a disability - Lisa is a terrific writer."

- Abel Pharmboy, Terra Sigillata

"Some people are brave, some strong, and sometimes they write well, too. You might consider this interesting blogger who posts on the hows and whens of telling other people about not-so-obvious physical problems. I'd say it would take trust to do that, and guts. Check this one out at Brass and Ivory. Excellent, excellent post."- TherapyDoc, Everyone Needs Therapy

"I have come to grow very fond of Lisa. She is very passionate about the topics she writes about and is not afraid to voice her opinion. This is one tough lady I am telling you...and Lisa has a kick butt list of all the MS blogs you never knew existed until now. Her site is full of information and support. So do go visit. You will be glad you did." - unnamed